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DVC Renting

Has anyone ever rented or know of anyone's experience renting DVC. I didn't even know it was possible until I stumbled upon it doing some resort research. Is it legit and do you get the same perks as if you were staying as a normal resort guest. Just want to get a feel on what to do. I have already reserved a package but looking at some of these DVC prices it may even be cheaper and staying in some pretty nice villa's. Any experience or thoughts would be appreciated - Thanks!

We've rented points a couple of times through David's, and there are a couple of companies, or you can arrange a rental directly from a DVC member. There is some risk, on both sides, when you rent privately, but I know many people who have done it, and had great experiences.

You don't get the same perks, like the discount, etc, but your room is treated like a regular DVC guest. The biggest difference from the other resorts (or paying Disney for a DVC room) is that you don't get daily housekeeping, just the trash taken out, with a cleaning or towel refresh every few days.

With a rental, you'll have to pay in full when you book (in most cases), and you don't have much (if any) flexibility with changes, but you will save quite a bit of money over regular Disney prices.

We've rented twice, both times at OKW, and LOVED the extra space, and when we had the 1-bedroom, the full kitchen.

As an owner I have rented my points out a few times on years I have been unable to get down for a trip. I did this several years ago before I knew of any of the point rental companies in business today. I connected with renters through a Disney fan site. As a previous poster indicated this is not without risk but fortunately my experiences were great. And yes, this is totally OK. Owners have a threshold of how many times in a year they can do this before it's considered a business which is not allowed. And FYI - the legit point rental businesses are connecting renters with owners as opposed to literally renting you points to work within these parameters.

My daughter came to me last night to discuss a Disney trip with her in-laws in 2022. She was interested in getting a Treehouse villa. For a trip in 2022, when would it be best for her to try to rent points?

We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together

Not
We believed in our idea - a place to line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders

My daughter came to me last night to discuss a Disney trip with her in-laws in 2022. She was interested in getting a Treehouse villa. For a trip in 2022, when would it be best for her to try to rent points?

The earliest DVC can book is 11 months before for a home resort so it is a little early for 2022. But in principle renting usually works out cheaper than booking direct but you can't get free dining plan for example.

My daughter came to me last night to discuss a Disney trip with her in-laws in 2022. She was interested in getting a Treehouse villa. For a trip in 2022, when would it be best for her to try to rent points?

Without knowing what time of the year she's planning, it's harder to give any specific advise.

DVC generally runs close to 100% capacity, and the demand at certain times of the year is extremely competitive. Late September through the first week of January is known as Fall Frenzy and for good reason - many room types at several resorts will be completely sold out within hours of the 11 month booking window opening, and most resorts will have limited availability (as in, you probably won't find a full week at any DVC property - possible exception of Saratoga Springs) at about the 8 month mark. When the 7 month window comes around (the time when any DVC member can book at any DVC resort) whatever is left will be gobbled up almost immediately.

The good news though, in this case, is the choice of the Treehouses. The Treehouses are arguably the least popular accommodations at the largest, and least popular DVC resort. There are 60 Treehouse units and they don't go nearly as quickly as everything else. For example, availability for this October - the height of Fall Frenzy and 4 months out - still shows a few multiple day stretches (2-4 days) available, while everything else is down to random, single days available.

Regardless, the best thing your daughter can do is try to find an owner who can book that reservation as close to the 11 month mark as possible. If going through a broker, she'd want to contact them a month or so prior to the 11 months mark before her trip, and be added to their list. The broker will then try to make the arrangement with an owner that wants to rent out their points. It can take time, and doesn't always work out. There are way more people wanting to rent than there are owners willing to rent out points. It's also possible to find an owner directly with whom you can work, but the risks are higher going that route, unless the owner is someone who is known to you.

Speaking of risks, there are several. Renting points is not for everyone. Once made, it is generally not possible to change anything. Payment is up-front and non-refundable. The renter does not own nor control the reservation - the owner does. DVC will not even talk to the renter. There is always a risk of losing all monies and arriving to find you don't actually have a room (it's exceedingly rare, but it happens).

Yes, renting points is less expensive than booking directly with Disney. But there is much more effort and risk associated with renting. If your dates aren't 100% firm, you're risk-adverse, or you don't do well not being in charge of everything about your trip, renting DVC points may not be for you.

Steve

First visit: Disneyland, July 17, 1955 (well, somebody had to be there on opening day!)

Thank you so much for the info. I went over to the in-law's house tonight to talk to them about it. They decided on 13 days in October for the Halloween party and the Food & Wine Festival. Other than DSIL, none of them have been to Disney World. In fact, none of them had been to Disneyland either until his sister went last weekend for a graduation trip with her friends. I narrowed the resorts down to a few choices I thought they would enjoy based on things DD had told me about them - Treehouse Villas, AKL Villas, AoA family suites, Ft Wilderness Cabins and Port Orleans. They seemed most interested in the treehouse villas and the Ft Wilderness Cabins, so I'm really glad to hear that there is a possibility of getting the treehouse villas. I'll tell DD to make sure they are all set at 12 months out, so they have the best chance.

We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together

Not
We believed in our idea - a place to line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders